Posted 4 Days Ago

Ben Stokes pleads not guilty to affray over nightclub incident

England cricketer Ben Stokes arrives at court in Bristol on February 13, 2018. Stokes is charged with affray following an incident outside a nightclub that cost him his place on the Ashes tour. The 26-year-old all-rounder, who missed the trip to Australia after being suspended from playing for England, is accused of affray with two other men. PHOTO | PAUL ELLIS |

By AFP

In Summary

England all-rounder Ben Stokes, accused of involvement in an altercation outside a nightclub that cost him his place on the Ashes tour, pleaded not guilty to a charge of affray in court on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old, who missed the trip to Australia after being suspended from playing for England, appeared at a magistrates' court in the southwestern city of Bristol along with Ryan Ali and Ryan Hale.

It follows the altercation during the early hours of September 25 last year, several hours after England had played a one-day international against the West Indies in the city.

It is alleged a 27-year-old man suffered a fractured eye socket in the incident, at which fellow England cricketer Alex Hales was also present. Hales faced no charges.

Ali, Stokes and Hale spoke to confirm their names, dates of births, addresses and nationalities. The clerk read out the charges and all three defendants indicated not guilty pleas.